Five Highest Mountain Hiking In South Korea – All You Need to Know

Hiking can be a plan for the holidays or a vacation destination you can take part in with your friends and family. With the current trend of health and fitness, hiking can be a fun workout activity you and your family members can take part in. Finding the perfect hiking destination may be difficult especially when you have not been thinking about it for a long time. It can also be difficult to arrive at a destination of choice when you are planning to go hiking in a different territory or country. In such a case, you may need pointers on the best-hiking destinations in the area to ensure that you make a good choice and have maximum fun.

“We don’t stop hiking because we grow old. We grow old because we stop hiking.” – Finis Mitchell

Hiking in South Korea

When you are in Korea or when you want to go to Korea for hiking, the tallest mountain of South Korea
would be perfect for you. Here are the highest mountains in South Korea that you could go to when you
want to go hiking in South Korea;

1. Hiking Hallasan

This is the highest mountain in South Korea and it is a shield volcano, located in an Island called Jeju. The mountain is surrounded by a national park; Hallasan National Park. The mountain is designated to be a national South Korea monument, and it is so massive so that many people say that Jeju and Hallasan are one. This mountain can be seen from anywhere on the island and it is suitable for hikers, especially due to the crater at the top that is more than 400 meters in diameter.

“You’re off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” – Dr. Seuss

How to Get to Hallasan national park: To hike Hallsan you have to go the most beautiful Islan of South Korea. Which is Jeju Island. After getting in Jeju-do, Follow the Below Directions.

2. Hiking Jirisan.

This is the second tallest mountain in South Korea and it is located on the Southern region of the country. The land around the mountain has also been reserved as a national park, Jirisan National Park. This mountain is a popular tourist destination site, receiving more than 280,000 people annually. In most cases, visitors come to see the mountain between summer and autumn and the mountain has 10 scenic views that make it suitable for hiking expeditions. There are also other national treasures on the mountain and beautiful stone art that dates back to the 600-900 CE.

“You’re off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” – Dr. Seuss

How to get to jirisan National park from seoul:

Express bus from Seoul bus terminal to Namwon. Get a taxi from Namwon bus terminal to Namwon Intercity bus terminal. from here you can catch an intercity bus which will get you to the Baemsagol Valley.

3. Seoraksan

This is the third tallest mountain in South Korea and it is considered to be the backbone of the South Korean peninsula. Many visitors and locals visit the mountain throughout the year but most visitors come in autumn because it is the season the mountain is considered to be at its peak in beauty. In autumn, the blend of the yellow forest and the contrast with the rocky terrain and sparkly streams bring out the most beautiful scenery in all South Korea. Hikers should be careful when visiting the mountain during the rainy seasons because the streams are prone to swelling and breaking their banks. This mountain is also surrounded by a national park that is also a popular destination for many people.

“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” – Gary Snyder

How to get to Seoraksan National Park:

Take a bus from Seoul Express bus terminal to Sokcho. From Sokcho take another small bus to Seorkasan national Park.

4. Hiking Deogyusan.

It is ranked fourth in height after Hallasan, Jirisan, and Seoraksan. It is located in Deogyusan National Park, and the most attractive feature is the winter ski resort at Muju. The mountains and the park very wide variety of both plant and animal life, with over 2,000 animal species to see and 800+ plant species in the park and on the mountain as well. This makes it very beautiful and an excellent spot to go hiking when you are in South Korea o when you are looking for a hiking destination.

“For hiking is one of those things that you can only do when you have the determination in you.”

How to get to Deogyusan mountain national park:

Take a direct bus which leaves from Nambu Bus terminal to Muju.

5. Hiking Taebaeksan

This is the fifth tallest mountain in South Korea, and it is also referred to as Mount Taebaeksan or Mount Taebaek. The most attractive features of this mountain is the Manggyeongsa Temple that is built on the mountain as a shrine for the statue of the Bodhisattva of wisdom. The highest spring in South Korea is found at the entrance of this shrine and it is named The Dragon Spring. It is most beautiful in winter and spring due to the ancient vegetation that blooms and beautifies the mountain in these seasons.

“Deep down, at the molecular heart of life, the trees and we are essentially identical.” – Carl Sagan

How to get to Taebaeksan mountain national park:

Dong Seoul Bus Terminal ==> Taebaek and from Taebaek ==> Danggol and then get off at Taebaeksan National park.

Conclusion

South Korea is a beautiful place to visit when you are out on a holiday or vacation. It is especially suitable if
you are looking for adventure and fun because it has the best hiking destinations. Most of the South Korea
hiking tour guides will have the 5 highest mountains listed above among others listed as the best hiking
destinations.